Ghanaian Small Forward Ben Bentil has been snapped up by Greek giant Panathinaikos this offseason after expressing interest in him following the conclusion of the 2018-2019 Greece A1 Basketball League.
His signing was reported a few hours ago and an official statement is to be released in the next few hours. He is Panathinaikos second signing this offseason after Tyrese Rice.
This is a sharp turn of events for the 24 year old Sekondi native who signed to play for Persiteri for a second straight year even before the conclusion of Peristeri’s series loss to AEK for third place in the league.
Former Peristeri Head Coach Argiris Pedoulakis decision to take over from Rick Pitino as Coach of Panathinaikos next season is a major reason behind the transfer.
Pedoulakis won the league title with Panathinaikos as Head Coach in 2013; veteran American Coach Pitino won the league title in his sole season in charge before returning to the States.
Bentil averaged 12.5 points and 6.7 rebounds in his first season with Peristeri. He has an extensive list of teams on his CV despite playing professionally for three years. He has had short stints at Dallas Mavericks in the NBA, Guanghui Flying Tigers in China and Bilbao Basket among others.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter